Zelenskiy signals firm stance against Trump over refinery strike restrictions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signaled a firm stance against US President Donald Trump, refusing to placate him amid a fresh rupture over US restrictions on military intelligence and satellite access tied to strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskiy told European press in Brussels that preserving dignity is crucial during war, rejecting Trump's pressure to halt refinery strikes. He criticized a US-Russian diesel deal easing sanctions, warning it could lead to broader sanctions relief, while Ukraine faces depleted air defenses and a €70 billion budget shortfall for 2027. The rift follows Trump's earlier Oval Office confrontation with Zelenskiy and temporary restrictions on Starlink access, limiting drone defense. Zelenskiy, citing Russia's 2022 attempt on Kyiv, argued Putin seeks Ukraine's annihilation, though he acknowledged European support and responded to a scapegoat question with a knowing smirk.